RI, MA EHS Pest Control Blog

People are always worried about travel and bedbugs. How do I get them? What should I look for? What should I do? Here are some great tips to follow when traveling from the National Pest Management Association.

Over the next several weeks, with images of vacations, family reunions and time off dancing in their heads, millions of Americans will be hitting the roads, skies and rails, traveling to various holiday destinations. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) advises travelers to take some simple precautions to avoid the most unwanted holiday present — an encounter with bed bugs.

“Whether going to grandma’s house or a hotel, travelers should be on the lookout for signs of bed bugs. Parents whose children are returning from college should also inspect their belongings before bringing laundry and packed bags inside, as infestations have been reported on campuses across the country,” said Missy Henriksen vice president of public affairs for NPMA.

“However, there is no need to be alarmed or alter travel plans. With a few simple steps, travelers can diminish their risk of dealing with bed bugs,” added Henriksen.

Travelers should remember the following tips from NPMA:

Thoroughly inspect the entire room before unpacking. Don’t put luggage on the bed.

Pull back bed sheets and inspect mattress seams, particularly the corners, for telltale brownish or reddish spots. Bed bugs can also be found in box springs and behind baseboards, electrical switch plates, picture frames, wallpaper, in upholstery and furniture.

If changing rooms within the same hotel, ensure the new room is not adjacent to the possibly infested room.

If staying at a residence, inform the homeowner immediately of a suspected bed bug problem.

Use a large plastic bag to store luggage.

Upon returning home, inspect and vacuum suitcases before bringing them into the house.

Wash all clothes — whether worn or not — in hot water or take them to a dry cleaner.

Comments

mice removal commented on 08-Jun-2011 01:01 AM

Catching a rat is very similar to catching a mouse. The only difference is that it may take you a little longer to catch a rat because they are smart creatures and will not jump on the first sight of food or water, like mice will. The most popular rat
removal method is an electronic rat trap, which you can get for less than $50. Snap and glue traps often do not trap the rat fully. Although they are cheap and can get the job done, many complain that it's too much of a hassle to deal with half-dead rodents.

mice removal commented on 14-Jun-2011 08:39 PM

Humane rat traps, which allow you to dispose of the pests away from your home, cost around $25. Because of their size, humane rat traps can also be used for animals such as squirrels, groundhogs, and skunks. Once you place a rat trap, try to keep it in
one location because rats are sensitive to moved surroundings.